U.S. to deploy anti-missile system to protect South Korea

Seoul – On Friday, South Korea and the United States stated both countries would deploy an anti-missile system in South Korea as an act of defense to counter North Korea’s nuclear threats. China opposes to the deploy because the country believes this action will affect its security interests.

The advanced missile defense system is the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and is going to be set in South Korea only as protection against the mass destructions weapons and ballistic missiles that always threaten South Koreans from North Korea. It’s worth mentioning North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has threatened almost everyone who disagrees with him and constantly claims he’s developing nuclear ballistic missiles. Reuters says that South Korea’s Defence Ministry and the U.S. Defense assure this is a defense tactic.

Considering North Korea has long threatened South Korea, the United States and pretty much the whole world, an anti-missile system is neccessary to counter possible nuclear attacks. Image Credit: Popular Mechanics

The decision was made public after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was blacklisted in the U.S. Treasury Department for violating human rights. Reuters reports that North Korea considered the THAAD deploy “a declaration of war” and said they are going to response.

The site for the THAAD could be decided within weeks, stated a South Korean Defence Ministry, according to South Koreás Yonhap news agency, and the U.S. is working to have the anti-missile system ready by the end of 2017. He added that it will be focused solely on North Korean nuclear and missile threats and would not be directed towards any third-party nation.

Stepping up the game regarding South Korea’s national security

The THAAD will be delivered to the 28,500 troops the United States have in South Korea, as a legacy of the 1950-1953 Korean war. China is in conflict with the decision and says that the system would affect their security balance without stopping North Korea’s nuclear program.

China’s Foreign Ministry urges the United States and South Korea to halt the deployment process of the THAAD not to complicate the situation in the region and to not damaged China’s strategic security interests, a statement reported by Reuters.

China and North Korea are allies, with close economic and regional ties, but still, has supported the U.S and other countries regarding sanctions and resolutions against North Korea this spring.

Chinese state media said, according to NPR, that China claims discrepancies between THAAD’s capabilities and the South Korea’s defense needs. Image Credit: Wall Street Journal

Xinhuanet reports that anti-missile system has an X-band radar can detect missiles as far as 2,000 kilometers with forward-base mode and 600 km with the terminal mode. South Korea allegedly plans to adopt the terminal mode, but it can be transformed into a radar with a much longer detectable range. China is worried about their military capabilities being track.

Japan supports the THAAD deploy, Russia is against it and it, will take actions.

Interfax news agency reported that Russia is also opposed to the basing of the advanced missile-defense system in South Korea as its deployment will be made in Moscow’s military planning.

According to Reuters Japanese, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Koichi Hagiuda stated that Tokio supported the Korean deployment because it will increase security in the region. Last month, North Korea tested two ballistic missiles.

Source: Reuters